Sourcing the Antifeedant Properties of Pineapple Weed (Matricaria discoidea)

Josiah A. W. Smith; Sharon Barden; Paul Mayer

doi:10.18192/osurj.v5i1.7553

Sourcing the Antifeedant Properties of Pineapple Weed (Matricaria discoidea)

Authors

Josiah A. W. Smith University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Sharon Barden University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Paul Mayer University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18192/osurj.v5i1.7553

Abstract

This study investigated the chemical composition of Matricaria discoidea, commonly known as pineapple weed, for the purpose of analyzing potential medicinal applications. A gas chromatograph mass spectrometer was utilized to identify the compounds in acetonitrile, CO₂, and hydrosol extracts of the plant. It was found that the acetonitrile and CO₂ extracts contained various expected molecules, including terpenes and terpenoids, commonly present in plant concentrates. However, the most significant finding was the presence of the two isomers of tonghaosu (1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]non-3-ene, 2-(2,4-hexadiynylidene)). The hydrosol was found to have a composition of solely tonghaosu, promoting further applications due to its isolation. The presence of this molecule reinforces pineapple weed's insect-repelling activity. Consequently, the sizeable quantities of tonghaosu in pineapple weed hydrosol extract establish a promising source of the bioactive compound, supporting a potential for use in natural insect repellent and additional medicinal applications.

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Published

2026-06-17

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Original Research

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